Forensic Psychology How do forensic psychologists work with

Forensic Psychology How do forensic psychologists work with law enforcement to develop criminal profiles? Forensic Psychology is the application of the science and profession of psychology to questions and issues relating to law and the legal system.

What is criminal profiling? • Construction of a psychological, behavioral and demographic profile of the type of person likely to have committed the crime • Usually applied to serial crimes (serial murders, serial rapes…)

The 3 Main Goals of Profiling • 1. To provide a social and psychological assessment of the offender. • 2. To provide interview suggestions and strategies. • 3. Narrow down an investigation to those suspects who possess certain behavioral and/or personality features revealed by the way a crime was committed. Profilers do not solve crimes.

Terminology • Modus Operandi – Involves how the crime was committed • Signature - something done to fulfill or satisfy the offenders emotional state • Is an aspect of a crime that is unique to the perpetrator

Stages of the Profiling Process • 1. Input: Collecting info about the crime. • 2. Decision process models: Data is organized and classified. Determine motives. Victimology. • 3. Crime assessment: Crime reconstruction. MO and Signature. • 4. Criminal profile: Describing the suspect. • 5. Investigation: Report is given to investigators. • 6. Apprehension (hopefully) The logic is that the way a person thinks guides his or her behavior.

Profiling: Looking for Clues • Location: Indoor, outdoor, vehicle, underwater etc. who frequents the location, how can it be reached, what normal activities, why there etc? • Victimology: Study of the relationship between offender and victim. • Crime Scene type: point of contact & primary, secondary, intermediate & victim disposal sites • Method of approach: Surprise, con or blitz • Method of attack: initial means for overpowering a victim. • Method of control: control force; verbal or nonverbalized threats [includes sexual threats] - the amount of force used can help determine the offenders needs & motives.

First documented case • New York City 1950’s • “Mad Bomber” • George Metesky • Psychiatrist James Brussell constructs a profile: • White male, 40’s - 50’s • Lives with aunt or sister • Hates father, loves mother • Will wear double-breasted suit when apprehended

“Father of profiling” • John Douglas • 25 years with the FBI, Investigative Support Unit • Developed profiling techniques now taught in the FBI’s Behavioral Science Unit • Consulted on Atlanta child murders, Green River killer, Unabomber

What to look for • State of the crime scene • Gives clues about the type of offender • Age • Race • Motive

Serial Killers

Definition of a Serial Killer • Murder of three or more persons • Involves a distinctive “cooling off” period • Can be days to months to years • Differs from Mass Murder (3+ persons killed together) & Spree Killing (3+ persons killed in short period of time at different locations)

Multiple Offender Terms • Mass Murderer – 4 or more victims, James Huberty – 21 killed in a Mc. Donalds in San Ysidro, CA, 7/18/84. Made no attempt to hide. Death by police/suicide. • Spree Killer – 2 or more victims, Andrew Cunanan – 5 murdered from CA to FL. 4/27 -7/15/1997, committed suicide 7/23/97 • Serial Killer – 3 or more victims Dr. Harold Shipman, one of the most prolific serial killers of modern times, with up to 260 believed victims (usually older women in a hospital setting), 1975 - 2000

Typical serial killer • White male • Late 20’s to early 30’s • Kills within his own race • Method of murder is “hands on” (strangulation or stabbing) • Victims selected because they share specific characteristics (for example, Ted Bundy chose young women with long hair, parted in the middle)

Current Statistics • • The USA has 76% of the world’s serial killers. 83% of American killers are Caucasian. Only 15% are African American. Men make up at least 90% of the world wide total of serial killers. 65% of victims are female. 89% of victims are white. 44% of all killers start in their twenties, 26% start in their teens, 24% start in their thirties. Out of all known and captured killers, 86% are heterosexual. These statistics do not reflect bi-sexuality.

Common Traits of Serial Killers: the so -called “Homicidal Triangle” or “Triad of Behavior” • 1. Bed-wetting: 60% past age 12 • 2. Fire Setting: Fondness for spectacular destruction • 3. Animal Abuse: Tormenting of animals long before people become their targets…

Organized vs. Disorganized • Organized crime scene: • Body is hidden • Weapon is removed from scene • Appears to be well-planned • The victim is specifically targeted • Restraints often used • Aggression takes place before death

Organized vs. Disorganized • Disorganized: • Body not hidden • Weapon is present • Appears to be spontaneous • Victim may be an acquaintance • Aggression or sex post-mortem

What does it all mean? • Organized crime scene suggests an offender: • Average or above average IQ • Employed, usually quite skilled • Socially competent • Uses alcohol in commission of crime • Uses car to drive to crime scene/hunt for victim • Obsessed with media coverage of his crimes

What does it all mean? • Disorganized crime scene suggests an offender: • Below average IQ • Unstable employment record, unskilled • Socially isolated • Lives close to crime scene • Strict discipline as a child • Extremely anxious

Profiling a Serial Killer: “The Trailside Killer” • San Francisco Mount Tamalpais August 1979 • Edda Kane (44 years) found dead • Facedown, kneeling position • Single gunshot to back of head • No evidence of sexual assault • No robbery

Trailside Killer • March 1980 • Barbara Schwartz (23 years) • Stabbed in chest • Naked, kneeling position • October 1980 • Anne Alderson (26 years) • Shot 3 times • Raped and redressed

Trailside Killer • November 1980 • Point Reyes Park • Diane O’Connel (22) and Shauna May (23) • O’Connel was raped, strangled, and shot • May was shot and possible sexual assult • Both found in a shallow grave

Trailside Killer • March 1981 • Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park • Ellen Marie Hansen (20) & Steven Haertle • Threatened to rape Ellen, shot & killed her when she protested • Steven was shot but survived • Able to give a description

Trailside Killer • May 1981 • Big Basin Redwood State Park • Heather Scaggs (20) • Last seen going to test drive a car she was buying from a co-worker • Found naked in a shallow grave • Raped and shot

Trailside Killer: Constructing a profile (John Douglas) • Crime scenes in secluded areas only accessible by foot: Killer was comfortable in area, a local • Victims attacked from rear in blitz-style attack: Killer was asocial, not able to charm victims with conversation. Blitz-style attack was the only way he could control victims

Trailside Killer: Constructing a profile • Victims ranged in ages and appearance: Killer didn’t know victims. He is acting out a fantasy • Victims were white: Killer is white • Able to evade police: Low to mid 30’s Probably spent time in jail, possibly attempted rape Blue-collar work

Trailside Killer: Constructing a profile • Intelligent but has a menial job (blue collar) • Not random act - precipitating stressor • History of bed-wetting, fire-starting and/or cruelty to animals (as a child) • Secluded, didn’t want to be seen • Relied on over-powering victim • Indicates a disability, but unlikely physical because was able to control victim • SPEECH IMPEDIMENT

Trailside Killer Caught • David Carpenter • White male, 50 (*profile of age incorrect) • Photo print shop worker • History of attacking women and served jail time • Domineering and abusive mother • Bed-wetting & cruelty to animals as a child • SEVERE STUTTER